Decembrist, Christmas cactus or zygocactus - all these names mean the same houseplant. Initially, this representative of the cacti was called zygocactus, but was later included in the genus Schlumbergera.
Instruction manual
1
There may be a need for a transplant for several reasons. The plant brought from the store is transplanted, as most often the soil in the pot does not meet the requirements for normal growth and development. Then the plant is transplanted as it grows about once a year. An adult plant is transplanted every few years. The best time for transplanting is spring, the beginning of summer, when the growth period has already ended, but the buds have not yet begun. During this period, plants are propagated by pinching off the extreme segments and transplanted into a fresh substrate, choosing a slightly larger pot if necessary. Determine the appropriate size by inserting the old pot into a new one. It should enter completely, but the free space between the walls should not remain more than 1 cm. Otherwise, the plant will switch to the development of the root system and flowering after transplantation can not wait a year or two.
2
Zigocactus grows best in organic peat soils. In their homeland, they, like orchids, grow in hollows of trees and on fallen trunks, as they are also epiphytes. The best soil mixture for this plant is made up of sheet soil, turf soil and sand, the ratio between which is 2: 1: 1. In the same mixture, you can add crushed charcoal, it is also good to use coal as a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. The soil should be light, breathable, this will help to avoid diseases and pests.
3
The transplant is preceded by a dormant period, when watering the zigocactus is reduced and kept in a cooler room. The transplant should be carried out before the first watering and before the start of the growth period. It is best to dry the cactus as much as possible, making sure that the leaf segments do not begin to turn yellow. The condition when the soil is completely dry and the leaves are soft and warm to the touch, slightly reddened at the tips, is best suited. Having spread newspapers, any paper or polyethylene on the floor, gently take the Decembrist by the base of the trunk and pull out of the pot, while turning it over onto the laid floor. Good soil gets enough sleep, exposing the roots almost completely, and the plant will remain in his hand. A layer of drainage is laid in the new pot at the bottom - expanded clay balls, pebbles or charcoal, a soil layer of at least 1 cm is poured onto the drainage. The plant is placed in the middle of the pot, and its roots are gradually covered with soil, continuing to hold the cactus until the pot is full. It is more convenient to carry out this operation together, but you can manage it alone with a certain dexterity.
4
After the root system is completely filled, the pot is rotated several times, tapping on its walls so that the soil fills all the voids. Tamping the ground is not recommended, as the roots can be severely damaged. When the soil has settled, add the required amount and put the pot in a permanent place. After transplanting, the first few days it is better to do with plentiful spraying and only after that start to water as usual.
